SECAmb welcomes improved rating and committed to further progress

8 November 2018

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb)
is pleased that a significant number of improvements have been
recognised in a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report on its
services published today, (Thursday 8 November 2018).

The report, which follows planned inspections of the Trust in
July and August 2018, has rated SECAmb overall as ‘Requires
Improvement’, a level up from its previous rating.

The CQC has recommended to NHS Improvement that the Trust
remains in special measures while the improvements made are further
embedded throughout the Trust.

While the Trust is disappointed to be remaining in special
measures, it welcomes the improved overall rating, which reflects
the hard work put in by staff across the Trust.

It is aware there remains more to be done to ensure it continues
to make progress, including improving its service to patients who
don’t require an immediate response and ensuring 999 calls waiting
for an ambulance to attend are managed appropriately.

SECAmb is particularly pleased at the improvements made in the
safe and well-led sections of the inspection and is delighted that
staff have, once again, been rated as good for the care they
provide to patients.

Areas of good practice and improvements highlighted by the CQC
include:

• Staff cared for patients with compassion. All staff
inspectors spoke with were motivated to deliver the best care
possible and feedback from patients and those close to them was
positive.

• The Trust promoted a positive culture that supported and
valued staff. Inspectors found an improved culture across the
service since the last inspection. Most staff felt the culture had
improved and felt able to raise concerns to their managers.

• Medicines management was robust and effective with a
marked improvement since the previous inspection. Inspectors found
elements of outstanding medicine management, for example the way
the trust handled Controlled Drugs. An external review also
recognised the impressive turnaround in performance.

• A new well-being hub which enables staff to access
support in a variety of areas. The service was widely commended by
staff during the inspection.

• A significant improvement in the process for
investigating complaints and the quality of the Trust’s response to
complaints since the previous inspection

• Support for maternity patients was excellent. A new
pregnancy advice and triage line for pregnant women had been
introduced within the Crawley EOC.

Chief Executive Daren Mochrie said: “I am pleased that the CQC
have found a significant number of improvements since their last
inspection and I am confident that the Trust is on the right path
to make further progress.

“We are aware that there remains work to be done and this has
already been taking place since the inspection, prior to the
publication of the CQC’s report. I know that right across the
Trust, staff are committed to further improve the services we
provide to our patients.

“I welcome last month’s increased funding decision by our
commissioners, which will ensure that we can continue to make
improvements and that we have the future capacity to deliver the
service our communities rightly expect and deserve in the years to
come.”

Trust Chair, David Astley said: “In the short time I have been
with the Trust, I have been very impressed with all the staff I
have met. They show tremendous commitment every day to our patients
and they should be very proud.

“I and the Board are pleased with what we see as a positive
report but recognise there is more to be done. We will continue to
support the Trust as it moves forward and make further
improvements.”